New Australian Book - Must Read on Parent Engagement!

With the assistance of the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT, a new book has been published entitled: Bridging the Gaps Between Families and Schools.

Bridging the gaps provides a practical manual for use by school communities who wish to transform their school using an ‘evolutionary model of change’.

This book is timely given the current emphasis on the school needing to being a socially inclusive community, one that involves all the members that comprise the school.

A range of successful examples are provided in the book as well as reflection questions for “creative Principals, a venturesome
staff and an enthusiastic parent body” to develop solutions relevant to their own community.

Nance’s book also gives special attention to the needs of parents who may be on the periphery, such as “Indigenous parents, those from other cultural backgrounds without spoken English, single parents and all who are just trying to survive”.

In the words of Dr Nance Millar:

“The purpose of the book is to instil in parents, principals and
teachers an appreciation of the role of parents as ‘primary educators’
of their children and an understanding that this role is exercised
through collaboration, or partnership, with teachers and all members
of the school community”.


The book can be purchased from St. Pauls Books:
http://www.stpauls.com.au/product/4744

National Catholic Education Commission Convention 2011

Inspiration and Identity: Catholic Education in Australian Society will be the convention theme. International and national speakers will present keynote speeches and will lead in developing six area strands as sub sets of the overall theme. Parent and Community will be one of the strands. Danielle Cronin, Executive Director of the CCSP and NCEC Parent Committee Chair is co-convenor of the parent and community strand along with Ann Bliss, Executive Director of the SA Federation of Catholic School Parent Communities.

For more information, visit: www.nceconv2011.com.au/

Look Out 2011

Join the conversation with local and international speakers and delegates, and explore what it means to be an innovative outward facing school in the 21st century.

* Lead for outward facing communities
* Develop strong, inclusive partnerships for learning
* Dialogue to push the boundaries of educational reform
* Re-imagine the learning landscape
* Achieve learning outcomes and life chances for all

Hosted by the Catholic Education Office Melbourne, explore new ways to look at learning. Be part of the future, hear international speakers, join breakfast conversations, wine and cheese chats, workshops and much more.

AUD$450 per delegate (AUD$405 for early bird registrations)

Look out for further information and details or email Lookout2011@ceomelb.catholic.edu.au to register your interest in any further details regarding this event.

Spirit Dream - In Burning Hearts - A National Gathering for those involved in Catholic schools

This National Gathering offers a creative forum for all those involved in Catholic schools to come together:

- To reflect on the reality, affirm the strengths and name the issues concerning Catholic identity, faith formation and evangelisation in our Catholic school communities
- To address the issues concerning Catholic identity, faith formation and evangelisation of staff, students and families in our school communities
- To envisage and explore future possibilities for a new evangelisation within our Catholic school communities

The Gathering is open to participation of representatives from all levels of involvement with Catholic schools, including importantly parents and caregivers.

For more information click here